The Enduring Logic of War: Clausewitz in the Digital Age
This paper examines the enduring nature of war in the face of rapid technological transformation, arguing that while the character of warfare evolves, its fundamental logic remains unchanged. Drawing on classical and contemporary strategic theory, it shows that coercion, territorial control, and the physical application of force continue to underpin effective military strategy. Technological tools—such as cyber capabilities, precision-guided munitions, and autonomous systems—may alter the modalities of conflict, but they do not eliminate the need for presence, visibility, and credible threat. From Clausewitz to modern thinkers like Biddle, Freedman, and Colby, the literature converges on a key insight: war remains a political act shaped by human judgment and physical force. The analysis critiques the illusion of disembodied power and highlights how hybrid and high-tech strategies still rely on conventional enablers. Ultimately, strategic autonomy and credible deterrence in Europe or elsewhere require full-spectrum capabilities rooted in doctrinal coherence and operational readiness. Technology enhances, but does not replace, the grammar of war.